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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 



TO 

PROF. JOHN I. COCHRAN 

WHO 

E 'en while all ivithin was gloom 
From troubles sore, there still was room 
Upon the surface for a smile 
That vanquished gloomy thoughts the while. 
THE AUTHOR. 



THE LOST CHARM 

AND 

OTHER POEMS 

BY FRANKLIN H. CLEVENGER 




COLUMBUS, INDIANA, M DCCCC VI 



LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
TwoCoDies Received 

MAY 28 1906 

/7, Copyrignt Entry 
CLASS /<i^' 
CO|5y 



-P 



! "•-■' t ^ •" 



Copyright, 1906, 
By Franklin H. Clevenger 



t 



CONTENTS 



Page. 

A Welcome Visitor 19 

At Home Again 21 

About Evil Habits 37 

Childhood's Charm 9 

Changing Atoms 45 

Every Cloud is Lined with Gold . . 32 

Father's Home 51 

If You Want to Live Long .... 38 

Life is Made up of Mistakes ... 42 

Life is What We Make It .... 44 

My Carcassonne 24 

My Sweetheart down the Way ... 26 

New Year Reflections 47 

Plea for Reconciliation . . . . 34 

Our First Meeting 28 

The Lost Charm i 

When Memory Deserts Me .... 13 



THE LOST CHARM 



Since I am still unmarried, no doubt you 

wonder why 
I speak of things that happened in days so 

long gone by. 
I know how natural it is to try to keep the 

world 
From knowing just how old we are, when 

by three tens, we've whirled. 



But don't you know, I take a pride in say- 
ing, "Forty years 

I've trod this grand old earth of ours, and 
shared its joys and tears." 

So, if I speak of happenings of days in child- 
hood's yore, 

It means I'll have to call you back full thir- 
ty years or more. 

So just turn back the thirty years to days 
more dear to me 

Than all the rest of life combined, for sim- 
ply this you see: — 

My father, mother, Jim and I, lived on a 
little farm — 

Not very large but large enough — and then 
the childhood's charm 



Of everything. In Summer and winter, we 

had our work to do, 
We went about it cheerfully, we knew 

when it was through 
We'd have the smiles of mother and father's 

cheery laugh 
So charming all the evening, at our childish 

little chaff. 

We had to milk, and saw the wood, and 

feed the horse and cow, 
Call up the hogs and give them corn, and 

bed the mother sow. 
On rainy days we always worked in the 

wagon-shed at home. 
On Sunday, we had company — the neighbor 

boys would come — 



We coasted down the hillside, we tapped a 
sugar tree, 

We made a hickory whip, or a wild horse, 
—that was me: 

We never robbed a bird's nest, but the hor- 
net's nest was ours — 

There never one escaped us in the quiet 
morning hours. 

The branches of a cherry-tree extended o'er 
the roof 
Of our clapboard-covered woodhouse, and 
this was surely proof 

That in the month of June upon this roof 
we'd be. 

Or on the other hillside where grew a ser- 
vice tree. 



A little later in the fall, when frosts began 

to come, 
We went a paw-paw hunting, and seldom 

would get home 
Till the evening shadows darkened, and the 

stars began to shine, 
Each conscious that we'd meet again, the 

next day just at nine. 

Early Monday morning, we were up before 

the sun; 
And long before the school-bell rang, ^our 

morning chores were done. 
Our books were in the sachels, our hair was 

parted straight. 
And we were on the road to school, when 

the clock was striking eight. 



So bent were we on getting there in time 

to have a play 
Before the second bell would ring, we just 

took time to say, 
''Look, there's a chipmonk on the fence;" 

then hastened on until 
We reached the goal so much desired, the 

schoolhouse on the hill. 

The dear old schoolhouse on the hill! If I 
could only tell 

The charms it always held for me, — the mu- 
sic of its bell, 

When on a frosty morning it rang out clear 
and sweet! 

Then loud as any country dance, the sound 
of scraping feet 



On the doorstep, the doorsill, and half way 

up the aisle! 
The school trustee declared one day, he 

heard the noise a mile. 
Then each one was assigned his seat and 

then the rules were read — 
The school term was begun; and now much 

more should not be said. 

Time makes a change in e\'erything; but say, 

it is a shame 
That childhood's charm is lost so soon and 

with us can't remain. 
The thirty years I've spoken of has wrought 

a change in me 
That I would soon change back from if it 

could only be. 



Men look at me and say, "That man Is 
wealthy, wise and great." 

Well, that may be, yet what is that? A 
circumstance of fate. 

From all the wealth and all the praise, I 
say it to you still, 

I'd part to be a child again at the school- 
house on the hill. 



CHILDHOOD'S CHARM 



When the evening shadows lengthen, and 

the sparkling dew is on, 
And the moon and stars begin to show their 

light, 
My memory often travels back, to days that 

now are gone, 
My childhood days, when everything was 

bright. 



10 



How it all comes back to me, just as if 

'twas yesterday, 
When we built our great big castles in 

the air. 
Can it be that they are wafted by the sands 

of time away? 
Yes; like childhood's charm they're scattered 

everywhere. 

What a pleasure to review them — The days 

of childhood's yore; 
But 'tis always followed closely by 

regret, 
That time has far removed us from its 

charm forevermore. 
We say forevermore, they've gone from us 

and yet — 



II 



Who knows but that a haven far beyond 

the reach of man, 
The childhood's charm awaits its soul 

to greet, 
And we'll be again like children, who knows, 

or who can tell, 
Just like them, but with wisdom — and 

complete. 

We are sometimes made to wonder if the 

nature of a child 
Is a part of what he was before he 

came 
To earth to gain some wisdom, but by Satan 

is beguiled 
Into thinking sure that everything is 

lame; 



Then the charm, as tho' offended, flew back 

to whence it came, 
To remain until perhaps some happy 

day. 
With the soul will be united, when the soul 

is free again, 
From the blasting scars that made it fly 

away. 



WHEN MEMORY DESERTS 

ME 



When memory deserts me, and I no longer 

can recall 
Events that happened long ago, I want no 

mind at all. 
For every occurrence that I\''e noticed here 

of late 
Seems but another link in the passing chain 

of fate. 



14 



I do not take the interest, I did when I 

was young; 
For everything is changed, and I am not 

among 
The folks that things are doing for: so I 

can only praise 
The Lord for reminiscence of my life's 

early days. 

I'm old and blind and feeble, and as deaf 
as any stone; 

And as far as any comp'ny goes, am prac- 
tically alone. 

The people all about me are young, and 
have full sway; 

And it's righteous that they should, for I 
have had my day. 



IS 



You may look at me and wonder, as I 

slowly nod my head, 
And think my life is all a blank, that I 

were better dead, 
But my life is full of pleasure, for I fondly 

still recall 
When this old house was all but Heaven, 

and I but lord of all. 

I do not care for favors, I ask but little 

care, — 
A warm and cozy corner for my good old 

hickory chair, 
My snuff-box, tobacco and pipe in easy 

reach; 
Then other folks about the house, can dance 

or they can preach. 



i6 



No; I am never lonesome, their attention 

but annoys, 
And that is why they say that I believe 

they still are boys; 
The fact is, I am busy entertaining 

friends 
Of long ago, so dear to me, their welcome 

never ends. 

Well then you say, "Who are these friends?** 

You see no one about; 
It happens that they only come when all 

of you are out. 
And there are very many groups, that I can 

call at will; 
But there is always one of two, that lingers 

fondly still, 



When all the rest have gone on their re- 
spective way; 

One is my af^ed parents who died before 
your day; 

The other group, your mother and a merry 
crowd of eight; — 

And of the pranks they all go through, I will 
not here relate, 

For it would make you wonder that my 

memory is so good 
About what happened 'way back there, when 

it is understood, 
That things that happened yesterday, today 

to me are blank, 
And of the boys around the hearth, I can't 

tell Jim from Frank. 



i8 



I. count it as a blessing that all this is the 

case, 
Since I am old, and of no use to any 

round the place; 
But, when memory deserts me, and I no 

longer can recall 
Events that happened long ago, I want no 

mind at all. 



19 



A WELCOME VISITOR 



"What'd you say your name is, stranger? 
Right: — I know a Right, a ranger, 
Out in California State 
Not far from the golden gate. 

Looks like you for all the world; 
Blue eyes, hair is slightly curled, 
'Bout the same as you in height, 
And like you, his name is Right." 

"Right's my name, I had a brother 
Once, we looked like one another, 
He's been gone nigh twenty years, 
That he is dead, I have my fears." 



20 



"See that house — there on the hill,- 

See that farm, and that old mill? 

All of these belong to me; 

If I only knew that he 

Out near Golden Gate does live, 

All of them I'd freely give." 

Then he cast a wistful glance 
At the visitor, by chance 
Saw a roguish twinkle there, 
Old, familiar; — "I declare, 

"John, it's you! In heaven's name, 
Am I dreaming; am I sane!" 
"Neither, much I fear," said John. 
"Keep your coat and linen on, 
And invite me in to dinner, 
For I'm hungry as a sinner." 



21 



AT HOME AGAIN 



That little old weazen-faced woman there 
Is my wife; she's the mother of all these here. 
Her beauty has gone like the faded rose; 
I speak of her face, for goodness knows, 
Her soul is as sweet as her face once was fair 

There was a time when for beauty and grace, 
Her form was only excelled by her face. 
'Twas the pride of my life in those young days, 
For knowing but little of the world and its ways, 
I thought that beauty held all things apace. 



22 



When business was good, and all went well, 
1 dressed her in silks as fine as they sell, 
And this to her credit, I'm glad to relate, 
She never was proud, though dressed up-to-date, 
And always was just the same loving Nell. 

As time rolled on, times changed as times do, 
And we found that we'd have to start life anew. 
I could not buy silks: when I told her so. 
She said she had always preferred calico. 
Then said I, Tve a wife that is one of a few. 

And my dear, we will have to give up this cha- 
teau, 

Discharge all our help but the children and 
you. 

"Just the thing," said my wife, "I have always 
desired; 

We surely don't need any help that is hired, 

While we have four children with nothing 
to do." 



23 



"As to keeping this house, It were all very fine 
To keep up appearance, when we were in line; 
But with all of its grandeur, it to me is not 

home, 
Like the dear little cottage we lived in so long, 
I could just keep it up and make everything 

shine." 

Well, we're home again, and in looking around, 
I find that a pleasanter home is not found 
With its old-fashioned fireplace and coziest 

nooks. 
That can not be rivalled by stories in books, 
Tho' a modest home on an acre of oround. 



24 



MY CARCASSONNE 



As the peasant yearned for Carcassonne, 

I yearn for Colorado! 
To think the goal is never won, 

It makes me feel so bad, O 
I scarce can see for blinding tears 
That flow so freely with my fears 
That I shall live yet many years. 

Before I see a shadow 
Of Pikes Peak's summit capped with snow. 
And far beyond where many go 
To see the canyon, dark as woe, 

With nature sculptured dado. 



25 



I want to breathe that famous air 

So light and mirth inspiring, 
And drink from springs of water rare, 

See all my friends inquiring; 
And Denver with her hundred schools 
That turn out congressmen and fools; 
The livery-stable-man that rolls 

In wealth that comes from hiring 
Wild bronchos to the eastern swells 
Accompanied by most charming belles, 
Who ride through mountain-glades and dells 

And swamps— all without tiring. 



26 



MY SWEETHEART DOWN 
THE WAY 



I have a sweetheart down the way: 
I think of her both night and day. 
These thoughts a charm do lend to me, 

That makes my life worth livin'. 
One thing, however, bothers me 
Another feller tries to see 
If he can be one of us three, 

And no invites I'm givin'. 



To see how this dod-draughted cuss 
Would try to put an end to us, 
And try to make an ugly muss, 

Most throws me in a fever. 
If she should even speak to him. 
Her chances'ud be pretty slim; 
For sure as my name's Ugly Jim, 

I'd go away and leav'er. 

I don't belie\^e in leavin' home. 
Because a darker day has come. 
Nor go where they are sellin' rum, 

And drink a little bit there; 
But there is not a single doubt, 
If that galoot should cut me out, 
I'd go to Eelinois 'bout 

As soon as I could git there. 



28 



OUR FIRST MEETING 



There was a time when life seemed dear to me, 
'Twas when I had you ever by my side. 

How fondly then I ever hoped to see 

The day that I should claim you as my bride. 

Dost mind the day when first we met, my dear, 
How young and gay were we, and free from 
care? 

Your merry voice, I ever seem to hear, 
As 'Twas that April morning over there. 



29 



The last day of your school it was, and mine 
Received invites to come and take a side 

In spelling-match and have a dinner fine. 
To which our teacher boastfully replied, 

**Your invitation kindly we accept, and look 
Well to your job," he said, "and make a 
good review, 

And study well McGuffey's spelling book. 
And Webster's Dictionary too." 

At length the time arrived, and on each side 
Like warriors bold, arrayed were we. 

And not more sure of winning for his side. 
Was warrior old and tried, than you and me. 

"Best spellers to the foot," then was the rule. 

And thus I knew when we stood face to face 
That you the best were in your school, 

You knew full well that I held mine a-pace. 



30 



The teacher, easy words at first pronounced. 

To give each h'ttle child a chance to spell, 
But after all the little tots were "bounced," 

He then turned over many pages. Well 
It soon was up to you and me to start; 

McGuffey's book was laid upon the shelf; 
They knew we knew McGuffey's all by heart, 

So Webster's was installed with greater 
wealth. 

That threw us both on very doubtful ground; 

We knew full well our time was coming next. 
You did quite well until the seventh round, 

Then seemed uncertain and perplexed. 

You tried, you failed. The teacher answered, 
"Next." 
I knew the word. You knew what made me 
frown, 
And scratch my head, and stammer, and look 
vexed. 
Because I could not bear to turn you down. 



31 



The time had passed when I could let you win, 
As I had most made up my mind to try; 

But I could simply put an extra letter in, 
And thereby let you make a tie. 

No other introduction needed we: 

And thus it happened, after school was out. 

You crossed the aisle and came forthwith to 
me, — 
Your smiling face put bashfulness to rout. 

I ever fondly, still recall that blissful hour. 
And ever wish that many such were mine, 

For love's young dream is bliss, is power 
The strongest, from the hand of love di- 
vine. 



32 



EVERY CLOUD IS LINED 
WITH GOLD 



"Every cloud is lined with gold," 
By truthful sages we are told. 

Though dark and gloomy everywhere, 
The gold is there! The gold is there! 
It may not be our lot to see 
The gold as pure as gold can be, 

Because we look with unclean eyes. 
We see but trouble in the skies. 



33 



Because the gold we cannot see, 
We must not think that little we 

Are wiser much than sages are, 

Because we do not see as far. 
When we can see as well as they, 
The gold will show as plain as day, 

And gleam and sparkle on our way; 

Then we can say as well as they: 

''Every cloud is lined with gold, 

And every path is strewn flowers." 

Tho' trouble like an ocean rolled, 

We smile and say, the world ours. 

And when we find a friend in need. 

It will not hurt our human greed 

To bid him all his tears withold, 
For "Ever\' cloud is lined with gold." 



34 



PLEA FOR RECONCILIATION 



I cannot think, my loxc, that you are gone; 

I only know your face I cannot see 
As once I did, with heaven's sunbeams on, 

Yet, ever feel that you are near to me. 

If you are near, my love, pray make it known; 

Some little sign or token gi\'e, my dear, 
That I may know your lo\'e is mine alone, 

And I may onlv know that vou are here. 



35 



Think not my careless words were aught 
But just a little temper ill concealed. 

An avalanche of sorrow they have brought, 
Give but the word, and they will be re- 
pealed. 

Think, Love, the spring will soon bt^ here. 
The warbling of the birds, you now can hear 

While strolling by the meadow brook so clear. 
It takes your love to set them off, my dear. 

When I returned to haunt the sacred spot, 
My love, where you so recently had been, 

'Twas prosy there, because I found you not, 
E'en grass-blades seemed to be less green. 

The song-birds twittered gaily still. 

And gaily flew about from tre(^ to tree. 

The crystal water rippling down the hill, 
All seemed intent on slilv mocking me. 



i 



36 



My weary steps. I slowly then retraced 
Toward the village tavern door, 

Which, when I entered, seemed to be dis- 
graced 
And surely less inviting than before. 

And thus from place to place, I sadly roam. 
Ne'er finding but a shadow of content. 

At eve, when I review events at home, 
Find but another weary day is spent. 

1 feel that thus 'twould be for life, 

Were I to live it all without your love! 

So let us end this ever-lasting strife, 

That gladness may return like Noah's 
dove. 



37 



ABOUT EVIL HABITS 



Haul in, young man, you are going too near 
The rapids; and you are in danger, I fear, 
For rhen much older and stronger than you 
Are naught in their pow'r more than bubbles 

of dew. 
Don't risk your young life in the monster's 

grim claws 
Just to show to your friends, you are fearless 

of laws 
That nature has, that are known to have 

strength 
To carry you down to your ruin, at length. 
You are still sound in body your character, true; 
Think not that these things are not precious to 

you; 
Guard them well, venture less. In the future 

you'll find 
That too forward in youth will mean later 

behind. 
If you don't be careful, you'll find that it takes 
The most of a life to correct the mistakes. 



38 



IF YOU WANT TO LIVE 
LONG 



If you want to live long and never grow 

weary, 
Be always contented, good natured and 

cheery; 
Eat but a light diet, sleep soundly at 

night. 
Crawl out in the morning with the first 

streak of light. 



39 



Don't stay in the house, get out in the 
air; 

Your toilet perform with the greatest of 
care, 

And keep yourself clean from your teeth to 
your nails; — 

Such treatment as this, to keep health nev- 
er fails. 

Don't go to the war, for that is too 

risky; 
Don't fall in love with a girl, who s too 

frisky; 
Don't hurry the cattle, keep away from a 

mule,— 
Or keep to his front, is a very good 

rule. 



40 



Stay home with your friends, don't trav- 
el about, 

There's danger in travel by any old 
route. 

Don't blow out the gas, don't play with 
the fire, 

Don't try to handle a live 'lectric 
wire. 

By the strictest of rules that opposes the 

devil, 
We shun the very appearance of 

evil. 
That covers most of the dangers we 

meet, 
If we chance to have business down on the 

street. 



If to all of these *'don'ts," we pay strict 
attention, 

And meet with no accidents worthy of men- 
tion, 

If lucky enough to keep rid of dis- 
ease , • 

We can live to be just as old as we 
please. 



42 



LIFE IS MADE UP OF 
MISTAKES 



If life is mostly made up of mistakes, — 

Which it is, 
And the world is chock full of all kinds of 

fakes,— which it is, 
It stands us in hand to use both of our 

eyes, 
To follow the way of the truthful and wise, 
If we make the most of our time as it flies 

As it does. 



43 



Do you know at ten, you are one sixth done? 

Well, you are; 
At thirty, one half of your race is run. 

And by far 
The best of your life has flitted away; 
Have you put your time in in dancing and 

play? 
Or while the sun shone, have you harvested 

hay every hour? 

Would you leave some work that will do 
some good, when you're gone. 

Work the oars with a stroke that will stem 
the flood, and ply on; 

If you do your part well, you have no time 

to lose; 
Take hold of a chance e'en while it ac- 
crues; 

Know what the right is, and the right way 
choose; and flv on. 



44 



LIFE IS WHAT WE MAKE IT 



Is life just what we make of it? 

And does each mortal make 
The circumstances that surround, 

Temptations strong that take 
The people up and hurl them down 

To depths of grief and shame — 
Or make them scale the mountains high 

To greatness and to fame? 

Yes: life is what we make of it; 

Temptations will not swerve 
The man who dares to do the right 

With all his will and nerve. 
Because some weaklings do go down, 

That 's no excuse for you. 
You 've seen their fall; you know the pit; — 

You should know what to do. 



45 



CHANGING ATOMS 



We see it in the rising sun, 

We see it in the twilight, 
We see it in the stars and moon, 

That light our way by night, 
We see it in the budding rose, 

The lily in the dell. 
And all the birds with songs of glee 

Do of his goodness tell. 



i 



46 



There's not a single thing he's made, 

But what does witness bear 
That he is God Almighty, 

And present everywhere. 
His laws are constanth^ at work, 

Nor leaves one thing the same 
Today as it was yesterday: 

Perfection is his aim. 

The stately oak, more stately still 

Or a little more decayed; 
The blade of grass is longer 

Or differently arrayed; 
The river is a little higher 

Or lower still perchance; 
And we, like all his other work, 

Go backward or advance. 



47 



NEW YEAR REFLECTIONS 



Many guests are in the parlor, 

And the sitting-room is full; — 
Full of laughing merry faces, 

There to have a taffy-pull. 
And the cooks are in the kitchen; 

Making cookies, pies, and cakes, 
And a lot of rusty doughnuts 

Good as anyone can make! 



48 



When you see this jolly party, 

You would surely never guess, 
'Twas assembled there to witness 

Death in all its awfulness. 
But 'tis true; and I am minded 

All their mirth to criticise, 
For I think it would be better 

To reflect and summarize. 

What if 't is the year that's dying- 
Should there not be some regret, 

If while passing we have prospered, 
That it has to leave us yet? 

If the year has been a failure, 
And we cannot point to good, 

Should we not be very sorry 

That it's gone? I think we should, 



49 



There is yet one hour remaining, 

It is now Eleventh hour; 
Just the time for noble purpose; 

Get to work with all your power. 
You can make the last remaining, 

Count for much you ' ve let pass by, 
By from merriment refraining. 

For the time is precious. Why? 

Look and ponder on your doings 

Of the year that's past and gone. 
Noting closely every action. 

That could be improved upon. 
After this you 've done completely, 

You have yet a half an hour; 
Make a lasting resolution 

That you'll try with all your power. 



50 



Then do not foroet the climax, 

Ask the aid of power divine 
To sustain you in your efforts 

And to keep you straight in line 
Through the new year that is coming-. 

Then at twelve o'clock the chimes 
Sound to you a great deal sweeter, 

Than they do at other times. 

Then the chimes mean something to you, 

For they start you out anew 
With a Friend who never falters, 

And is always good and true; 
And you have a full assurance 

That the year that's coming in 
Won't be lost, but every moment 

You are sure some good to win. 



5' 



FATHER'S HOME 



Forty years ago today — 

That same red sun sank far away 

Behind yon hill, the same as now; 

Ah! I can well remember how 

It seemed to be all lined with gold; 

I also mind how father told 

How this sunset would be his last, 

And how ere dawn his spirit passed 

From time and earthly home away; — 

Just forty years ago today. 

And forty years ago tomorrow 

Our home was dark with grief and sorrow 



52 



Never once in all these years 
Have I a sunset seen, but bears 
My mem'ry on that fateful night 
That gave our happy home a blight, 
Which time on earth could not efface; 
But when great clouds fill up yon space. 
And far beyond them sinks the sun, 
The transformation is begun, 
And cities lined with gold will show 
The same as forty years ago. 

Then I behold a city fair 

And think mv father's home is there. 



HAY 28 lift. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




